Ellen Graham
CEO + Founder
Admissions + Resources Director
Ellen earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from UNC-Wilmington. She went on to earn her NC Early Childhood Credentials and attended Graduate School at Western Carolina University for Special Education before founding The Garden in 2014. She is also the founder of Kindermusik with Ellen, an early childhood music and movement program which has been in operation in Southern Pines since 2011, and additionally has over 20 years of experience in childcare and early education with training in Montessori for Early Childhood, Developmental Play Therapy and Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers.
Elizabeth DeMeyere
Director of Operations
Elizabeth earned her degree in Developmental Psychology and has spent nearly 10 years of her career in early education. She also has a Masters in Organizational Development and Leadership and is a board certified coach through the Institute of Life Coaching. She is the founder of Rooted Resiliency Coaching offering professional and personal coaching to help people of all ages meet their goals.
Megan Muniz-McAleavey
Instructional Coach
Megan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts and a M.Ed in Teaching & Learning with a Concentration in Montessori Education. She spent several years working with children of all ages before discovering Montessori in her time working at The Garden in 2015. She went on to earn a MACTE Lower Elementary (6-9) Montessori Credential and AMI Primary (3-6) Diploma and has been working in Montessori Education for the last 9 years.
Mary Travis
Program Director
Mary holds a Masters in Geography and a BS in Sustainable Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. She has taught at the college level and has several years of experience in early childhood education as a Preschool teacher and through her work in children’s public library programming. Mary has completed our Grow & Guide Teacher Training Program.
Colleen Smith
Lead Nature Guide: Trailblazers
Nature Club Leader: Sports + Movement, Science
Colleen graduated from UNC-Pembroke with a degree in Physical Education. She has worked in child care and served as an intern with Scotland County Parks & Rec in addition to completing service learning with elementary and high school students. Colleen has completed our Grow & Guide Training Program and has been instrumental in the development of Wild Hearts Nature School since 2020.
Jaycie Tonelli
Co-Lead Nature Guide: Tree Huggers
Social Media Manager
Jaycie graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a degree in Psychology and is currently working towards her Masters. She has experience working with children of all ages and abilities as a caregiver and nanny, as a student assistant at UNC hospital and as a Support Professional at Arc of the Triangle. She is currently completing her Grow & Guide Teacher Training and ongoing staff professional development.
Betsy Yamron
Lead Art Specialist and Floating Support Guide
Nature Club Leader: Art
Miss Betsy has been an energetic & creative Guide at The Garden for over 2 years. She has taken on several roles: Wild Hearts Assistant Guide, Afterschool Art teacher (Process Art and Art Club), and Floater/Art Teacher. Betsy graduated from Wells College with a degree in Art History. She has had varied positions in her career: advertising account executive, event planner at a hobby store and manager of a children’s bookstore and a fine art supply store. Her most important and rewarding job is being a Mom to 3 children.
Amanda Shay
Co-Lead Nature Guide: Tree Huggers
Amanda has worked as an assistant and lead teacher in elementary special education and preschool settings and most recently as a program director at a residential camp for children and adults with disabilities. She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of New Hampshire and a certificate in Early Childhood Education.
Olivia Haralson
Lead Nature Guide: Polliwogs
Olivia graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Child Development and was an intern at The Garden in 2023. Olivia has worked as a dance and movement instructor and nanny in addition to her time with us as a summer intern. She will begin her Grow & Guide teacher training in 2024.
Sarah Maccio
Assistant Nature Guide: Trailblazers
Wild Hearts Nature Club Leader: Yoga, French
Sarah holds a BA in Music Education from ASU and has interned at the elementary and high school level. She brings a solid foundation in education and a passion for nurturing student growth to our Wild Hearts teaching team and is currently completing her Grow & Guide training.
Brittany Bumgardner
Assistant Nature Guide: Polliwogs
Brittney has experience as a daycare teacher and cheerleading coach as has been a substitute teacher at The Garden since 2023. She will begin the Grow & Guide teacher training in 2024.
Katie Maness
Assistant Nature Guide: Tadpoles
Ashley Lowe
Lead Nature Guide: Tadpoles